It's finally here...National Signing Day is upon us

The moment of truth for high school senior football players has arrived. All the talk, speculation, hand-wringing, wishing and hoping by players, coaches and breathless fans is over. Starting at 7 a.m. today, it's time to sign those letters of intent and make it official.

In Blacksburg, Tech is expected to sign a recruiting class of likely 23 or 24 players, which is about eight or nine more than most people thought the Hokies would be able to pull in this time last year. Expect a lot of grayshirts in Tech's class.

It should be a quality group that addressed most of the Hokies' needs, especially at tight end (four in this class), wide receiver (three), defensive line (four defensive ends and two defensive tackles) and in the secondary (five defensive backs). Only thing missing? Tech could've used another running back (only one in this class) and a linebacker.

Now, the Hokies have a shot this morning at one of the nation's most coveted linebackers, but they look to be the underdog to get his signature at this point. Stephone Anthony, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker from Anson County High in Wadesboro, N.C., is considered by most recruiting analysts to be one of the country's 10 best linebacker prospects. He'll announce his decision - likely down to Clemson and Tech, and possibly leaning to the Tigers - this morning at 11:30.

As for U.Va., there are a few key variables still sitting out there that could propel the Cavaliers' class from good to excellent, but even if U.Va. doesn't get any of the remaining three huge targets left on its recruiting board it's clear coach Mike London and his staff have made a sizable impression in their first full year.

Coming off a 4-8 season, U.Va. was able to sell the concepts of early playing time and the opportunity to turn a program around to recruits with success. Maybe most importantly, the Cavaliers regained a foothold in the Hampton Roads area after former coach Al Groh all but ignored it.

Nine of U.Va.'s 24 commitments entering the day are from the Hampton Roads area, including the top four players from the Peninsula - Menchville High running back Clifton Richardson, Hampton High quarterback David Watford and Phoebus High linebackers Daquan Romero and Caleb Taylor. Watford and Romero enrolled in January.

Like Tech, U.Va. really helped itself with significant additions in the secondary (seven players) and on the defensive line (six players, including four defensive ends). The Cavaliers also picked up four linebackers and four offensive linemen.

With linebacker Curtis Grant from Hermitage High in Richmond still out there undecided, U.Va. is hoping to pick up the ultimate cherry on top of the sundae. He's considered one of the nation's 10 best linebacker recruits and, like Anthony, one of the top 50 overall prospects. He'll announce today at 1:30 p.m.

Grant isn't the only player U.Va. is waiting on. Wide receivers Dominique Terrell from Osbourn High in Manassas and Darius Jennings from Gilman School in Baltimore, Md. are set to make their announcements this morning. Both players are considered by many analysts to be among the nation's top 25 athlete recruits available.

Jennings will announce his decision this morning at 9:30, while Terrell will do it at 11:30. Jennings is considering U.Va., Wake Forest and Ohio State. Terrell is pondering scholarship offers from U.Va., Miami and West Virginia, but West Virginia is likely a distant third at this stage.

That's what the two in-state ACC schools are looking at as we start the day. Keep refreshing my blog throughout the day because I'll be posting all types of updates and news. Oh, and if you haven't done it already, follow me on Twitter. That's usually where a short, quick version of the news goes first.